CANADA STOCKS-TSX falls as tech, commodities drag

By Utkarsh Hathi

Feb 12 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index slipped on Thursday, as weakness in tech and commodities shares overshadowed earnings-driven gains in financials and utilities stocks.

The S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE was down 0.4% at 33,118.31 points, as of 10:24 a.m. ET.

The tech sector .SPTTTK led the declines with a 3.7% fall, set for a third straight session of losses. Shopify SHOP.TO was down 7.3%, extending losses from the previous session after its results failed to impress investors.

Meanwhile, stronger jobs data from the U.S. on Wednesday dented hopes for further interest-rate cuts from the Federal Reserve in the near term, sending gold and silver prices lower.

Investors will also keep an eye on the U.S. inflation data due on Friday.

"After the upside surprise in the jobs number, the CPI print probably takes on heightened importance," said Angelo Kourkafas, senior global investment strategist at Edward Jones.

"The bullish scenario is a downside surprise, but if it is harder than expected, that could potentially put on some pressure on bond yields and therefore precious metals as well."

The global gold index .SPTTGD and broader materials sector .GSPTTMT, which includes metal miners, fell 0.3% and 0.6%, respectively.

Burger King-parent Restaurant Brands QSR.TO slipped 5.9% after quarterly results, sending consumer discretionary .GSPTTCD shares 1.4% lower.

Limiting overall declines, heavyweight financials .SPTTFS gained 0.6% as Sun Life SLF.TO jumped the most with a 4.8% rise after upbeat fourth-quarter earnings.

Asset management firm Brookfield BN.TO rose 4.1% after quarterly results.

Consumer staples .GSPTTCS led sectoral gains with a 1.1% rise. Dairy processor Saputo SAP.TO rose 1.7% after the company announced agreement to sell 80% stake in its Argentina dairy division, valuing business at $855 million.

Energy delivery firm Fortis FTS.TO gained 1.7% after fourth-quarter profit beat estimates. The broader utilities sector .GSPTTUT climbed 1%.

The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday narrowly backed a measure disapproving of Trump's tariffs on Canada, although it is unlikely to garner enough support in Congress to overcome an expected Trump veto.